With their third full-length release, BLACKALICIOUS has produced a record of such sonic depth and lyrical ambition that it can proudly stand alongside the work of Bay Area funk fathers Sly Stone and Shuggie Otis, or hip hop classics like Outkast's Aquemini and the Roots' Things Fall Apart. But The Craft is not nostalgic for some "golden era" that never existed; it surges past 2002's breakthrough Blazing Arrow into worlds Blackalicious fans have been waiting for them to explore. Fourteen tracks loaded with GIFT OF GAB's outstanding lyrics and flow, and XCEL's beats that touch on classic funk and slide cozily alongside the orchestral sweep of Stereolab. Features guest appearances from GEORGE CLINTON, FLOETRY, LATEEF, and PIGEON JOHN.